Prov. Grand Lodge Of Essex.

the Province had attained its high position , and trusted the district might be strengthened and improved as years went by . The Provincial Grand Master had referred to the position the Prince of Wales held as ruler of the Craft . The brethren of E . ^ sex gladly recognised their President as occupying the same position among

them as the Graud Master did among Freemasonry generally . Bro . Philbriek then culled on the brethren to drink to the health of the Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , an invitation which was most enthusiastically responded to , musical honours following in lieu of the usual " firing , " which was omitted in consequence of the room

nofc being " close tiled . " Lord Brooke replied . Ho thanked the ; brethren for the very kind manner in which they had drunk his health , ancl also felt greatly flattered by the musical honours they had been good enough to give him . He did not know anything which united one ' s hearts more closely than Freemasonry . Thank

goodness , there was nothing political about ifc , or nothing which could mar thoso feelings of unity which united them as Masons . He hoped the brethren of Essex would always have the same kindly feeling towards their Provincial Grand Master as those they had just expressed . Speaking of his Doputy—Bro . Philbriek—he felt he

could never look upon him as a Judge , passing a heavy sentence , At all events ho hacl beeu very lenient in pissing sentence on him that day . With his characteristic kindness of heart Bro . Philbriek had been gocd enough to ascribe a considerable amount of the success of the Province to his endeavours , but he ( Lord Brooke )

knew that this success was duo to tho very cordial support which they had given him as a young Mason coming among them . He hoped that as years went by the brethren would continue to give the same kindly support they hacl accorded him in the past . He knew it would require a little exertion on his part to keep

Freemasonry in the Province going , but when that exertion could be effective , and when it was possible for him to c ^ ive the time to it , they might rely upon him . It was a great thing for him to be able to count an increase in the nnmber of the Lodges of the Province , but he should never sanction an increase which would affect ,

or in any way clash with , existing institutions . At the same time , whenever he felt there was a need he should bo pleased to come among them and consecrate any new Lodge in their midst . It was a matter of congratulation to them in Essex that their Deputy had had the honourable office of Grand Registrar of England

conferred on him , and also that Bro . Lucking , another brother who had given them much support , had been appointed to Grand Lodge Office . As regarded Bro . Philbriek , he might say that the oftener he was with them the better they knew him . The brethren had known the Deputy longer than he hacl , but ho might say that Bvo .

Philbriek always imparted good feeling and cheerfulness to any meeting where he was present . It had given him great pleasure to see him approach that afternoon , and he could only hope that those gentlemen with whom ho bad been associated at Lewes Assizes that clay had found him an equally agreeable companion . At all events

fchey hacl hailed with the greatest enthusiasm his coming among them that clay . Thoy must know it was no licrhfc task to carry out fche arduous duties of such a profession as Bro . Philbrick ' s , ancl at the same time to find opportunities to attend to such pleasures as he trusted Freemasonry was to him . He was sure the brethren wonld heartily

drink the health of his excellent Deputy and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers . In conclusion , he expressed the hope that those whom he had that day appointed would support their Grancl Blaster as well as their predecessors had done . The toast was honoured , ancl then Lord Brooke again rose . It would naturally have fallen to the

lot of his Deputy to respond , but as the brother whose name he was about to couple with the toast of fche Visitors had to leave in order fco catch a train he would ask the brethren to allow Bro . Philbriek to postpone his reply until after Bro . Martyn hacl spoken on behalf of the Visitors . He trusted that one of the virtues of Freemasonry

would always be its hospitality , and that the guests would always prove themselves as genial and pleasant as the visitors who graced the board on that occasion had done . He was quite sure it was a matter of congratulation to them all thafc Bro . Martyn had been enabled to come and be with them that day . They might also

congratulate themselves on the presence of Col . Shadwell Gierke , who might be said to have all the numerous secrets of Freemasonry pass through his hands and entrusted to his keeping . He felt that no brother more zealously did his duty than Bro . Gierke , and he hoped he would be able to give them the benefits of his company and advice

on many future occasions . He would not enumerate all the other Visitors he saw present—there was Bro . Binckes and many whose faces were familiar—all he could say was the oftener they were there the better . Bro . Martyn replied . He was sure be need not say how grateful he was for tbe way in which the toast had been proposed

and received . That really was kind , but he did nofc think it was kind for tho friend on his right and the friend on his left insfstin " every moment on making suggestions ( laughter ) . Colonel Gierke on his right had said , " Now then , do not let modesty interfere ; " ancl Bro . Philbriek , on his left , had said , "Now then is the time for

blushing . " Ho certainly did not think it was kind to assail him with such remarks as that , at a time when ho was encleavourinc to collect his scattered thoughts , especially wheu they remembered , as the Archbishop of Canterbury said only the other day , that ono of the characteristics of the British clergyman was his extreme modesty .

He did not know that he hacl any canse to be bashful before that assembly , for he felt very littlo of a visitor in Essex ; indeed ho was an honorary member of a Colchester Lodge , ancl camo amono- them really as a Colchester native , the more so because one friend had peppered him with sarcasm , ancl another attempted to vinegar him with

tne sonr remarks so strange to his nature . Speaking as Deputy Master of the adjacent Province of Suffolk , he felt the Essex Masons , like their neighbours , had the interest of Freemasonry at heart . He

hoped and trusted tho same prosperity would follow them in Essex as was being enjoyed in Suffolk , and that their Province would occupy a position among the Provinces of England second to none—bar Suffolk . Ho hoped fcho t ' nd and hospitable feelin "

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Essex.

which had always existed between the Provinces of Essex and Suffolk would always be continued , and that they should , even if strangers , ever be bound together by the bond of friendship which at present united them . Bro . Gierke followed . He represented a large number of Visitors who hacl had the pleasure of attending thafc

clay , and who felt that much of the enjoyment they had experienced was due to the arrangements made for the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the Province . Personally ho was no stranger in Essex . He had been present at the installation of their late Master .

Lord Tenterden , and also at that of their present ruler . The report of the progress of the Province during the past year waa mosfc satisfactory , their increase of upwards of 100 members during the twelve mouths beim * a handsome one . That the funds of the Pro

vince were ably administered was evidenced by tho increased votes they had been enabled to make to the Charities that day . He concluded by expressing the thanks of tho Visitors . The Provincial Grand Master then called upon Bro . Philbriek to open his brief . That brother in reply said : My Lord and

Gentlemen of the , I beg pardon , Brethren , —Having illustrated the first of all Masonic virtues---obedience , I have , on behalf of the Grand Officers of tbe Province to return you their most sincere and grateful thanks for having proposed a toast in thoir honour , and for

what you were plea-ed to say of them . It was indeed a difficulty said Bro . Philbriek , to respond and adequately express the feelings of so distinguished a gathering of brethren as he saw on their legs in answer to this toast . Those who wore associated with the toasfc

were brethren who had made for themselves a name in fche Masonio history of fche Province , and who had assisted in the great cause of Masonry which thoy had at heart . He assured the Provincial Grand Master thafc tho brethren he had that day called to Provincial office would nofc be less devoted than had been their predecessors . It was

a matter of gratification to them that tho recognition of their ruler had been endorsed by Grancl Lodgo in regard to one of their number at least—Bro . Lucking , who had so long acted as their D . of C . Bro . Philbriek concluded a most interesting speech with a promise on behalf of tho Provincial Officers to do their best to exemplify

to the world fcho great advantages associated with the Order . The Provincial Grand Master then proposed tho health of the Masters of the Province , to which Bro . Tandy responded . This was followed by a toist in honour of the Charities , proposed from the Chair , which was ably responded to by Bro . Binckes , ancl then tho Tyler's toasfc brought the meeting to a conclusion .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Northumberland.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND .

rnHE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on JL Tuesday , 19 th insfc . in the Assembly Rooms , Newcastle , under the auspices of the Percy Lodge , No . 1427 . Thero was a large attendnnce . The Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , fche

Right Hon . Earl Percy , M . P ., presided , and was supported by Bro . R . U . Holmes Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bros . B . J . Thompson P . P . G . S . W . P . G . Sec , E . D . Davis P . P . G . S . W . P . G . D . of C , Addison Potter , C . B ., P . P . G . S . W ., Thomas Anderson P . P . G . S . W . P . G . T ., J . Straker Wilson P . P . G . S . W ., Robert L . Armsfcroug P . P . G . S . W ., George

Spain P . G . S . W ., Sir Matthew Whito Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., Ralph Thompson P . G . J . W ., and numerous other P . G . Officers and brethren ; also Bro . F . Binckes Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The various reports were presented , and the roll of Lodges

was then called and responded to by tne various W . M . s , after which fche Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year were appointed ancl duly invested by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . Earl Percy , in addressing the brethren , congratulated them upon the efficient state of the various Lodges in the Province . He thanked

the members of the various Committees for the work they had done during the past year . The next annual meeting will be held under tho auspices of the D'Ogle Lodge at Morpeth . Tho meeting afterwards terminated , and the annual banquet was held in the evening ;

an excellent repast being admirably purveyed by Mr . T . R . Dobson , of 54 Scotswood-road , Newcastle . The Right Hon . Eirl Percy , M . P ., presided . The vocalists were Bros . Walker , Leafcham , Whitehead and Nutton .

We are asked to mention that Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z . is now arranging dates for the delivery of his popular lecture , Explanatory of the Ritual and Ceremonial of the Firsfc Degree , in various Metropolitan and Provincial

Lodges , during the ensuing mouths . Ho has accepted the invitation of the Shakespeare Lodge , No . 1009 , at Manchester , for Friday , the ' 2 nd October , when the Lodge oiiens its winter session .

ihe installation meeting of the High Cross Lodge , No . 75 i , will be held on Wednesday next , at the Seven . Sisters Hotel , Page Green , Tottenham , wheu Uro . A . QFidler will be installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year .

The Revised Book of Constitutions ; Critically Considered and Compared with the Old Edition . London : Simpkin , Marshall & Co ., 4 Stationers' Hall Court , S . C . Sent on receipt of stamps , One Shilling , by W . * W . Morgan , Freemason's Chronicle Office , Belvidere "Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville .